A scheduled presenter, mEgo at the semi-annual DEMOfall conference was summarily thrown out after it was learned that the company broke the rules by unveiling its product two weeks early at the TechCrunch40 conference.

And, because they violated their contract, the $18,000 entry fee was not returned, according to a DEMO spokesperson.

Well, don't do the crime if you can't do the time, as they say.

Presenters at the show sign an iron-clad agreement to embargo their product until the show. As a reporter, I know I am warned, within an inch of my life, that I had better not break the embargo.

mEgo received many warnings, according to the DEMO spokesperson, but chose not to pay heed.

While this may not qualify as a controversy, some do say mEgo still should have been allowed to present or have their money returned. I am not in that camp.